Green Army funding applications open Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss, has encouraged environmental organisations in Wide Bay to nominate their local conservation projects for a new round of Green Army grants. “This new round of funding for Green Army projects in Wide Bay will build upon the valuable conservation work that has already been undertaken earlier this year,” Mr Truss said. “I encourage local councils, Landcare and conservation groups within Wide Bay, to put forward new project proposals, to help continue the improvement of natural environments in our region.” Green Army projects are focused on restoring and protecting native habitat, removing invasive weed species, planting vegetation, cleaning up creeks and rivers, preventing erosion and conserving heritage places. Applications for projects under round two of the Program will close at 2pm on December 9, 2014. For more information, visit www.environment. gov.au/green-army. this week’s special! Green Arm en Army funding applications open Federal Member f Army funding applications open Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss, has encouraged environmental organisations in Wide Bay to nominate their local conservation projects for a new round of Green Army grants. “This new round of funding for Green Army projects in Wide Bay will build upon the valuable conservation work that has already been undertaken earlier this year,” Mr Truss said. “I encourage local councils, Landcare and conservation groups within Wide Bay, to put forward new project proposals, to help continue the improvement of natural environments in our region.” Green Army projects are focused on restoring and protecting native habitat, removing invasive weed species, planting vegetation, cleaning up creeks and rivers, preventing erosion and conserving heritage places. Applications for projects under round two of the Program will close at 2pm on December 9, 2014. For more information, visit www.environment. gov.au/green-army. this week’s special! Phone Phone 4124 MEAT this week’s special! $16 99 kg Giving plastic bags the boot Shoppers are being encouraged to “say no” to plastic bags in a renewed bid by Council and local retailers to reduce the deadly impacts of pollution on Fraser Coast’s precious marine life. Councillor George Seymour (pictured left) said the FCRC provided a logo - a sustainable stamp of approval - to local businesses who committed to using alternatives to non-biodegradable plastic bags. The fi rst such shop to be recognised was Go Natural Foods, Torquay. Mark Armstrong from Go Natural Foods (pictured right) said the aim was to reduce their environmental footprint. “We’re going to do our bit and hopefully we can lead by example,” Mark said. Cr Seymour commended the shop owners on their positive decision. “Plastic bags are killing Queensland’s turtles,” Cr Seymour said. Plastic bags fl oating freely in the ocean appear deceivingly similar to jelly fi sh - a major food source for turtles. They can’t be digested and when swallowed, frequently trap air inside the animal’s gastrointestinal tract which prevents them from being able to dive under water. Many of these unfortunate animals die by starvation or boat strike, which is a grim and painful way to die. Cr Seymour said single-use non-biodegradable plastic bags were part of a larger problem in a throw-away society. “We should be looking at conserving fi nite resources,” Cr Seymour said, adding “the disposal of billions of these plastic bags per year is unsustainable”. “It is great that local shops are encouraging the use of reusable bags and biodegradable bags.” The logo for the awareness campaign was designed by local student Trinity Smith as part of a competition. Local businesses wishing to take part in the campaign should contact Cr Seymour on 0448 183 372. Scratch & Dent Sale Limited Time Only $300 save off RRP * Customer receives 1 x Pencil & 1 x Spread Beam X-Ray QH 220 Series Lights. Special price only available while stocks last. TYRES - 4WD - ICEBOXES 14 / Hervey Bay Independent, November 20, 2014 HERVEY BAY 93 Main Street Ph 4124 1855 MARYBOROUGH 14 Rocky Street Ph 4121 2288 $99 55L $129 110L $119 90L